posted Sep 10, 2007

Stephen Jones at outside half, one of the only players that seemed really up for the game and wanted to win. Parker and shanklin centers, shanklin was class yesterday.
G.Thomas at full back with his inspiration and hook on the bench to make the aussies think in the last 20!
definitely start charvis, on his day he is a world class player, that can get us those vital turnovers and penalties that can win close games!

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posted Sep 10, 2007

In response to all the those who think Stephen Jones did not have a huge impact on the game!

Stephen Jones brought a go forward mentality to the game. Hook had plenty of ball in the first half. However he took it standing still and distributed to a back line that was standing flat off him.

Jones took the ball going forward which meant when he released his backs, inpartuclar Shanklin he took the ball at pace and on the advantage line.

Jones kept the Canadian back row honest which prevented them from slowing our ball down when we did get tackled in the midfield.

Canada did not tire, they finnished as strong as they started the game!

Hook is a great talent but still has so much to learn on the international stage. He must start on the bench against Oz. But what a tremondous talent to bring of the becch should we need to

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posted Sep 10, 2007

well i think the key thing wales have lacked under jenkins is consistanty of selection. with this in mind id try and keep the team the same as against canada. and in response to your questions

1.matthew rees for certs
2. play wyn-jones at lock
3. i think charvis is a tuff one either way i want him on the pitch for a good amount of time. not a big jon thomas fan.
4. i think alfie has to play 12 to be honest i cant see where else he can get in but hes got to be in there and 12 seems most likely.
5. at present thomas and shanklin

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posted Sep 10, 2007

i am not a big fan of alfie at 12, however i belive we need to select the best team to beat Oz and not the best team on paper.

Oz will use mortock to smash it up the middle and so for this game only i would pick him at 12.

For the other games its a coin toss between him and Kevin Morgan at 15.

Charvis has to start, he was the best player on the park in both of the tests against Oz and probably our best playerwhen we played England. He is in the form of his life i believe and has to start in front of Jon thomas

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posted Sep 10, 2007

Thomas, Jones, Shanklin, Parker, Williams, Jones, Peel.
Jenkins, Rees, Horsman, Gough, Wyn-Jones, Charvis, Popham, Williams.
Replacements: A Jones, Thomas, Thomas, Owen, Phillips, Hook, Morgan.

Still don't understand the Welsh infatuation with Kevin Morgan. I've started watching him exclusively now, and he is responsible for so much damage its extraordinary.
He kicked the ball away, lamely at times, to Canada, as he has done all last season and in the run-up to the World Cup, and during the key period after half time on Saturday he was on the end of Wales' important game-turning attack going into contact with the ball in Canada's 22, and he was turned over.
The result was Canada applying exceptional pressure down the other end for an extended period.
I think he should be relegated to the bench, where his speed and positional play can be more effective when teams are tiring at the end of games. And Thomas should start at 15 against Australia.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

Looking at the other Home nations performances and results against lesser opposition than Canada, it wasn't a bad game to start with and good preparation for next week. The lineout for one example, looks much better tahn it has for some time.
For the Aus game we will need our big game players - Therefore Alfie at 15, Jones at 10 & Charvis for Jon Thomas. 12 is the debatable one but I'd go with Parker to start against Aus and have Hook as an impact sub.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

i cant wait to read your next list

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posted Sep 11, 2007

Autrailia next! Lets hope that Gareth Jenkins has all his marbles bouncing in the same direction.
S Jones must start at OH
G Thomas must play in the team

We cannot afford to go into the big game with Hook and Morgan in the side.

Should we even find them a place on the bench? Their play was well below par

Can we afford to pick Shame Williams, yet another non event

D James will give us a better attacking and defensive options

Otherwise the team looks in good shape.

Wales 18 Austrailia 10

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posted Sep 12, 2007

I've been saying for ages that Charvis should play 6 instead of Thomas but I think that Jenkins is keeping Thomas there for the line out option. I've read that Jenkins is thinking about replacing Popham with Charvis. Makes sense to me. Charvis for 60 and Popham as an impact for the last 20.

Jones really did play with passion and direction so if he can create that mind set again on Sat then I'd give him the nod at 10. Hook's always there to replace him. After all you're only as good as your last game!!

Gareth Thomas at 15. It gives him more time and space to wind up some speed as when he's in full flight he's a proper handfull. Plus if Mortlock gets past Parker and Shanks then he has to try get past a brick wall not a china tea pot.

Parker and Shanks in the center. They are both specialist centers and ply their trade week in week out so lets keep them there I think.

I'm an ornament so know sod all about the front row play but Matthew Rees looks pretty mobile in the loose.

Wyn Jones is doing well at lock isn't he?? Is Evans fit yet btw?

Gareth Jenkins??? - Grey kit??? WTF???

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posted Sep 12, 2007

well jenkins wtf you pretty much wrote what i was going to.to do well against the aussies we have to start strong and continue that way for the 80 minutes.the final 30 minutes of the canada game showed a little of what we are capable of and we can only learn from it and gather strengh.there was a comment earlier about shane williams being a non starter,however the whole first half showed a whole group of individuals that were non starters.I think if we pull together as a team we have a good chance of going a long way in the tournament.in my eyes stephan jones and gareth thomas need to be there from the start to bring the boys together and to get our excellent individuals performing together and personally i believe that shane williams will prove his critics wrong if given the correct guidence.
for sure next saturday shall be an exciting match full of emotion and passion.
wales 24 australia 21
cymru am byth

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